C N Lesley Shadow Over Avalon (epub)

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.”Still she stayed quiet, sensing he wanted something from her.“Silence speaks louder than words.Do you know this, girl?”His eyes returned to her band, and then narrowed as if beginning to question.Ashira balled her fists seconds before he caught first one wrist, then the other in an iron grip, forcing them together.His speed threw her off balance when he stood, forcing her to kneel in front of him.“Swear an oath of fealty.Accept my protection, girl,” he said.She would have to place her hands in his while she swore.An act to gain life would betray her training calluses when he felt her palms against his.Her fists remained closed; her head came up in a gesture of pure defiance.“I could force you to repeat your defiance in front of my men.You do understand no other ruler could then question my right to order an execution?” The duke waited for an answer.“One last chance.Will you give me the kiss of peace?”This vowed her not to harm him, and she wouldn’t have to betray her sword callouses.She kissed his hands.The duke startled her with another swift movement, kneeling to join her, he forced her arms behind her back.Almost in a whisper, he said, “Girl, you’ve got a look about you.You remind me of someone I think I would do well to mistrust.I’ll have the kiss on my lips.”Now Ashira could see his motives: this kiss would mean vowing to protect his life from enemies.He suspected treachery from Menhill.His arms tightened around her, bringing her into a rough embrace.His lips hovered over hers while he waited for her move.What did she have to lose? She closed her mind from the thought of what she did and just brushed his mouth.Moving away, she caught one of his eyebrows quirked up and the trace of a smile hovering.“Such a vow holds true on our lives until we both agree to part company,” the duke said.“I have your vow, and now you shall have mine.”Drawing her close, he kissed her.Ashira had not guessed a man’s lips could be so soft.By the time he had finished, she was blushing, to his obvious amusement.He became serious once more.“Speak the truth now, are you betrothed to another?”She looked down and shook her head.“Are you sure? Have you any pieces of jewelry you received from your father and not your mother that could be betrothal gifts?”“None.” Hald aimed high for Syril without stirring himself for her.until now.“Then I have all that I need to know.” Releasing her arms, he cupped her chin, compelling her to meet his eyes.“All arguments will be reserved for journey’s end.You will obey my orders instantly, and I’d prefer if you could manage to uphold the dignity of our status by refraining from any whines, or complaints.The lives of all depend on strict discipline in the wilderness.”She nodded.He let her wait, as if daring a stream of objections to burst forth.Hearing none, he released her, rising to his feet to execute a short, formal bow.The duke offered his hand to assist her.“I think I will not permit Hald to reacquire you, whatever the outcome of this mess.Gold Band ladies are not treated thus.Besides, he doesn’t deserve you.”Sympathy from this unexpected quarter chipped at her resolve.Her bottom lip began to tremble.“No tears.”Ashira stopped at the savage tone.The Dragon Duke still sought to trap her off guard with his false kindness, a thin veil over anger and outrage.“That’s better.Now, are you composed enough to rejoin others, or do you need more time?”“I’m ready.” A shiver tingled through her.She no longer doubted he encouraged Outcasts for more than predator slaying.He seemed to have more than his share of their ruthlessness.The Black Dragon Duke operated by his own individual set of rules.Chapter 3Earth Date 3874A campfire burned bright, the yellow flames licking at the laden spits sizzling and popping with gobbets of meat.The smell of smoke and roasting mutton wafted through the cool night air.Head held high, Ashira ignored curious men and the small pockets of nervous laughter.She stalked to the edge of the firelight to sit on a flat rock.The duke joined her, sitting close without touching, his look daring her to move away.A soldier brought a water bottle, returning soon after with slices of roasted lamb resting on wedges of waybread.“Hald raises good stock.”“He didn’t trade with you except.” she started, aware far too late that this subject should be left alone.“The beast tripped over one of my soldier’s swords.It managed to impale itself through the heart.I’m sure every care would’ve been taken to heal it otherwise.” He glanced down at her, a hesitant smile lighting his stern features.“We couldn’t just leave it there to draw predators, could we?”“That’s theft.You should’ve given the animal a decent burial.” She couldn’t help looking at his lips, remembering how soft they felt.“Oh but we do!” He laughed, taking a large bite out of his portion.This was a show for his men; he played his part well.Hunger and thirst hit her after a full day of fasting.Ashira didn’t care who had rightfully owned the animal, a prime specimen, and she hoped it had been valued breeding stock.Some soldiers began a game of dice while others rose, stretching, to take turns on patrol.A few rolled up in their cloaks to catch some sleep.Ashira yawned as the events of a disastrous day caught up with her.She stared into glowing embers, getting sleepy.The duke unfastened his cloak, lying down to cover himself with it.“Lie beside me,” he said.“I need you well-rested for tomorrow.”She settled as far away from him as she could while still sharing his cloak.“Ashira,” he said, quietly.“Did I mishear.is that your name?”“Yes, my lord.” She wondered at the hesitation in his tone.Her father never bothered checking details like a person’s name.“I’m not used to being around Gold Band ladies.I forgot how isolated you all are.Did I hurt you? Shall I order a litter made for the morning? You rode well for a lady, but must surely ache.”“I’ll ride.I learned as a child.” She wasn’t going to show this man one trace of weakness, despite his apparent kindness.A chill coming up through the hard ground seeped into Ashira’s bones.Her muscles did ache from travel, despite her training.Without rest, she wouldn’t last long tomorrow, and then he’d make her take a litter.She moved nearer, turning her back to him.The duke fitted to her contours.Warmth and a sense of safety seeped from him.Whatever his reputation, he had been honest with her so far.Yet a feeling of a threat persisted, not from him, but from something else in the night sky, where two falling stars streaked from west to east.The sense of wrongness became unease.The Outcast and his warning swam across her mind.What had he meant by saying she would come into his grasp soon? Did he speak of a raid on this trading party, foreseen by one so damned that the future lay open like a fresh wound?“What is amiss?” the duke whispered in her ear.“Sentries will patrol all night?”“We are safe enough here.There’s not sufficient game to attract many predators.” The duke reached up to grasp something from behind in the darkness beyond firelight.He thrust his liquor bottle in her face.“Drink [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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